I am a Mum and local resident in East Ham.

I think a combination of lockdown, working in the charity sector and seeing families with very little, plus hearing about Newham's Community Assembly programme enticed me to start the Tiny Libraries project.

I used Community Assembly funding to commission three beautifully crafted wooden book boxes by a local dad and carpenter complete with calligraphy courtesy of Forest Gate North Labour Councillor Rachel Tripp.

I concentrated on my immediate area as I wanted to embed the boxes in established communities to help with their ongoing maintenance . Tiny Libraries E6 has three book box locations :


- Rancliffe Road (maintained by local residents)

- Loxford Road outside Central Park Primary (maintained by school community)

- Outside Central Park Cafe (coming soon)


I have clear and simple aims:
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To make books available for everyone, to unite the community through a love of reading and to reduce waste by recycling the books.
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It was important to me that the book box design included green roof gardens. They have been made with wooden tray tops that I have planted up with succulents and herbs!

I have been thrilled with how the launch of the book boxes at Rancliffe Road and Loxford Avenue have gone!
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Neighbours have met at the boxes, conversations have started and books swapped…

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My next step is to make an illustrated trail map of all the Little Library boxes in Newham to connect them up!

We want to encourage people locally to bring books to donate, as well as taking books they want to read. If you know of a book box location please message me via my Instagram page here and let me know so I can add it to my map.

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For further updates and info follow @tinylibrariesnewham